20122019 - Malabu, P&ID: Adoke returns, arrested by EFCC

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22— FRIDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 20, 2019 Agriculturalist warns farmers against using additives to hatch eggs A poultry farmer, Mrs Theresa Muyi, has warned poultry farmers against using additives to hatch eggs, in a bid to make quick cash during the yuletide. Muyi, who gave the warning in an interview in Lagos , said it was unsafe and morally wrong for farmers to hatch their eggs with unhealthy substances in a bid to make quick cash. “Poultry farmers who use chemical additive to cultivate their livestock are engaging in a deadly and unsafe practice. “With the approaching yuletide, some poultry farmers in order to meet demands of the season may use unsafe methods like chemicals to cultivate their birds. “With these additives, baby chicks grow to life-size chickens within six weeks of being in the poultry farm. “Additives make them to garner fat that makes them look so big in a short period of time. “These chemically-induced birds grow quickly with a lot of fat and less matured flesh that is not healthy for human consumption. “As a poultry farmer, I think people should desist from these chemical additives while grooming their poultry livestock. It is a simple case of what you cannot eat, do not sell to others. “Some of these local poultry farmers engage in this practice for extra and easy gains, not minding the health consequences on consumers.” Muyi also disclosed some indices to identify chemically-induced birds, calling on regulatory agencies and farmers’ associations to clamp down on illegalities. “With these chemicals, the birds tend to grow faster and in turn, the farmers sell on time and spend less money on bird feeds, compared to when they cultivate the birds in the right duration. Nigeria makes progress fortifying staple foods — Reports … Dangote, others pledge to fortify 90 percent of Nigeria’s food by 2020 Data presented at the 2nd Annual Nigeria Food Processing and Leadership Forum has revealed that Significant progress has been made in fortifying Nigerian staple foods with micronutrients, critical for improving the population’s health and nutrition. The meeting held in Lagos on Tuesday , chaired by Alhaji Aliko Dangote with Bill Gates participating by video conference, convened the CEOs of Nigeria’s leading food processing companies alongside government and international development leaders to review 18 months of progress since the inaugural forum in July 2018. According to data presented by the international nongovernmental organization TechnoServe, a number of companies have significantly improved their compliance with food fortification standards since commitments they made at last year’s forum. Among six of the leading producers of staple foods in Nigeria, the proportion of adequately fortified wheat flour increased from 58 percent to 74 percent; fortified edible oil increased from 63 percent to 75 percent; fortified sugar increased from 32 percent to 84 percent; and salt iodization levels are maintained at nearly 100 percent. Together, these producers account for 90 percent or more of the production volume of these foods—except for edible oil, for which they represent closer to 40 percent of the production volume. These efforts are part of the Strengthening African Processors of Fortified Foods (SAPFF) project focused on increasing consumer access to adequately fortified foods, implemented by TechnoServe with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, said “We are demonstrating that when companies champion their role in delivering healthy products for consumers, it also delivers good business outcomes. “By creating a common set of compliance standards, while also giving companies the tools they need to effectively fortify their foods, we are creating a sustainable path to delivering Nigerians food that will help them live healthier, more productive lives.” He added ‘ When we first met in 2018, the level of food fortification was 50percent, but during this period of 13months we reached about 75 percent, and the target to reach 90% by 2020. I think we are going forward, we are very determined to make sure that this is accomplished’ While the food producers reviewed represent a majority of the market share for wheat flour, salt and sugar, all producers of these staple foods should be in full compliance with government-mandated fortification levels—which is key to ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from more micronutrients in their diet. Local refining of edible oil in Nigeria is less consolidated compared to other staple food products and needs coordination amongst multiple stakeholders to ensure a higher proportion is fortified with vitamin A. To strengthen industry-wide compliance, TechnoServe has been working with a number of private sector partners to Agric (Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, at the launch of Edo Oil Palm Programme, in Benin City, on Tuesday, December 17, 2019. pilot Nigeria’s first-ever Micronutrient Fortification Index (MFI). The MFI is a tool that effectively differentiates companies by the extent to which they meet industry benchmarks, including compliance with Nigerian Fortification Standards. Companies’ overall scores will be presented in a dashboard that will be updated annually to show progress and gaps— ultimately contributing to a robust industry-wide platform that emphasizes quality standards as a Key Performance Indicator (KPI). Alhaji Olalekan Saliu, Executive Secretary of the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria, said “The next level of action for the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria is that we envisage industry-wide application of the MFI and we believe that this will happen. It will give us greater leverage and provide us with a platform to make a case for increased advocacy to the relevant authorities to ensure that all inputs that go into the practice of fortification meet the required standards.” OER Farms, Unilorin sign 21-year, 10,000 hectares agric deal By Michael Eboh OER Farms Limited, a subsidiary of the Oriental Group, has signed a 21-year Land Lease Agreement with University of Ilorin, UNILORIN, to develop a 10,000-hectare mechanised agricultural project aimed at ensuring food security in Nigeria. In a statement by the company in Abuja, Founder of Oriental Group, the parent company of the agribusiness firm, Dr. Muhammadu Indimi, stated that the project would be managed in line with best industry practice to increase productivity within the sector. According to him, the project was designed to develop the capacity of the University of Ilorin in agricultural research, improved farm practice, develop young agripreneurs, who would give farming a different perspective, promote local Inclusion and enhance economic viability in catchment areas. Indimi stated that the agreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed by OER Farms and University of Ilorin recently to underscore the Federal Government’s progress towards food security nationwide. He explained that improved crop varieties with high yielding cash crops such as maize, soya beans and cashew are proposed for this project. He stated that the initiative, which is a vision close to half a decade, spoke to his commitment to support macroeconomic growth through sustainable development opportunities for all. Indimi said, “The average yield for a crop like maize by Nigerian farmers is about four tonnes per hectare, while yields are up to eight tonnes per hectare in the world’s most agriculturally advanced nations. We are curious about that gap and our aim is to close it by exposing local farmers and students to best industry practices as well as providing much-needed support over the next 21 years
Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2019 — 23 Five-year roadmap: Lagos projects N41 billion investment in agric sector The Lagos State Government says it projects that the total investment into the agricultural sector from the government, private sector, donor agencies and development partners will run into over N41 billion in the state’s five-year Agricultural Roadmap. The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Gbolahan Lawal, gave the projection on Wednesday in Lagos at a Roundtable Discussion on the Implementation of the State’s 5-year Agricultural Roadmap (2020-2025). He listed some of the planned projects as Fisheries Value Chain – Cage and Pen Culture, Fish Farm Estate Development, Artisanal Fisheries Development; and Poultry Value Chain – Broiler Production and Egg Production. Others include Piggery Value Chain: Establishment of new Pig Estates and Processing facilities; Coconut Value Chain which include the consolidation of land for coconut plantation, Out Grower Scheme for Improved Seedlings, Establishment of Coconut Industrial Park, Establishment of One-Stop Coconut Market and Value Addition Processing. Lawal, in an overview tagged: ‘A Sustainable and Inclusion Growth Strategy with the Citizens at the Core’, said youths and women would be given priority in all interventions in the roadmap. He called for more private sectordriven agricultural interventions NASC, seed coy present Bt cotton seeds to farmers … performance excites farmers in 12 states By Gabriel Ewepu As the National Agricultural Seed Council, NASC, in collaboration with a seed company, Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. (Mahyco) presented two Genetically Modified cotton to farmers, Cotton farmers in the country have expressed satisfaction over the seed performance experienced during the last wet season. The seed presentation was made during a special field day organised for cotton farmers at Sheda, Gwagwalada Area Council, where the Director General, NASC, Dr Philip Ojo, said the two cotton seed varieties will revitalize the nation’s textile industry under the agricultural revolution drive by the Buhariled administration. According to Ojo, science has become pertinent to advancing agricultural productivity because the old ways of farming is becoming almost unproductive, hence the need for improve productivity has become inevitable. The new Bt cotton varieties was approved for environmental release by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), and was subsequently granted commercial release by the Varietal Release Committee. and the provision of robust market information systems for Agricultural Value Chain actors. According to him, the call is imperative in order to have adequate planning and circumvent risks and uncertainties in the sector. “Using other economies that achieved economic growth using agriculture as a model, the lesson for the state is that there must be massive investment in infrastructure, encouraging more private sector-driven agricultural interventions. “There must be formulating of policies that can encourage private sector investment and provision of robust market information systems for agricultural value chain actors in order to have adequate planning and circumvent risks and uncertainties,” Lawal said. The commissioner said the strategies to be employed for a sustainable agricultural development during this period would be hinged on three pillars. He said they include growing the upstream sector through interventions by leveraging on technologies that are capable of lowering the cost of production of value chains such as Fisheries, Poultry, Piggery, Rice, Vegetables and Coconut with support from donor agencies. According to the Commissioner, the other pillars include growing midstream and He said: “Today, we are gathered to showcase the performance of the recently released Bt cotton varieties that can enhance our nation’s agricultural productivity and revive our cotton, garment and textile sub-sector, which is in line with Mr President objective to bring back the lost glory of the textile industry. The NASC boss also explained the new cotton varieties are cost effective for farmers, because they require minimal use of chemicals OCP Africa facilitates agric collaboration between Nigerian varsities, UN6P By Gabriel Ewepu AN agricultural giant, OCP Africa, has facilitated agricultural collaboration between Nigerians universities, polytechnics and a Moroccan University, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, UN6P, on possible exchange programmes, innovations, technologies, exchange of ideas and human capacity building for the agricultural sector. Speaking on the essence of the interaction held in Abuja and also in Bauchi State, where the team met with stakeholders at the Abubakar Left to right: Mr Umar Tumaka, Representative, Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF); Mr Caleb Usoh, Country Manager, OCP Africa Nigeria; Anne Duval, Academy Director Jacobs Engineering SA (JESA); Oluwatoba Asana Production and Technical Manager, OCP Africa Nigeria; Engr Emmanuel Fumen, Funtua Fertilizers, Katsina state at the three-day Project Management Training programme organised by OCP Africa Nigeria for its partners in Abuja. downstream sectors such as value addition, processing, handling, storage, cold chain, packaging, utilisation and commercialisation of all agricultural value chains. He said that interventions for and water, reduced crop loss and increased yield per hectare and would create massive jobs for the youth. “These technologies we demonstrate today through the Bt cotton increases farmers revenue by reducing production cost through the uss of fewer chemicals and water reduction in crop losses while achieving consistent higher productivity per hectare, with the potential of taking many out of poverty through economic gains gotten from increased agricultural Tafawa Balewa University as part of their engagement with stakeholders of Nigeria universities, the Country Director, OCP Africa, Nigeria, Caleb Usoh, explained that the idea is to foster networking and collaborations between UN6P and the Nigerian universities around areas like agriculture, technology, environment, innovation, and others. Mohammed VI Polytechnic University essentially develops partnerships with the scientific community, public institutions, and businesses, with which it shares expertise. It also carries out technical the road map would be in line with strategic focus to drive agricultural growth and food security in a clear and measurable way. Earlier in her address of welcome, the Special Adviser to productivity. “The outcome of this development will result in the creation of millions of jobs as well as ensure economic prosperity for the country. This lofty dream cannot be achieved without viable cotton seed system in place that will meet the demand of seed cotton and its associated products. In related development, Cotton farmers in the country have expressed satisfaction over the seed performance experienced during the last wet season. collaborations and knowledge transfers. Some of the Universities and Polytechnics present at the interaction include Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife; Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto; Imo State University, Owerri; Binyaminu Usman Polytechnic, Hadejia, Jigawa State, and others. The heads of agricultural departments in the various institutions present appreciated the initiative of the UN6P and also OCP Africa to facilitate the interaction that will on the long run increase productivity the State Governor on Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, called for a symbiotic relationship where the private sector would be the main driver and stimulant of agricultural development in the State. We’re committed to local rice production in Nigeria — Olam By Ebunoluwa Sessou As part of efforts at improving value chain in agriculture, Country Head, Olam, Mr. Mukul Mathur, has reiterated the company’s commitment to engage in local production of rice in Nigeria. Speaking during the company’s end of the year party recently, Mathur admitted the enormous challenges facing agriculture and food production in Nigeria, adding that the company is prepared to break the huge gap in food chain and promote food self sufficiency especially in the production of rice. “In the past, it has been rice importation but we want to change the narration by encouraging local production and ensuring that the country becomes self sufficient and food secured. “There is a sense of responsibility in the organization and we have tried to keep the value of the country. We have the responsibility to make food sufficient in the country. Our customers and consumers are our success story and it is important that we recognize them. “It is also important to understand the systematic chain of food in the agriculture sector. Agriculture is expected to serve as employment chain for the country but it is mostly unfortunate that we are having challenges. It is time to change the narrative and recognize its value as survival mechanism for the country. “As we hope for the future, there is need for us to produce more products for the development and growth of the country”, he said. in the nation’s agricultural sector, which also will be beneficial to both countries. The Executive Director, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, IAR&T, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ibadan, Prof Veronica Obatolu, expressed hope that the move by UN6P to collaborate with Nigerian universities will go a long way in positively impacting on productivity, livelihood of Nigerians and wealth creation. She said: “The whole essence is a way of increasing productivity in agriculture, livelihood of Nigerian population and creating wealth through agriculture.
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20122019 - Malabu, P&ID: Adoke returns, arrested by EFCC

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